The FWF accused the government of failing in its basic responsibilities to citizens, painting a grim picture of insecurity, economic hardship, and governance challenges.
Federal workers under the umbrella of the Federal Workers Forum (FWF) have declared their full support for the nationwide protest scheduled for December 17, 2025, by the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC).
The workers described the NLC planned action as “long overdue” and a “national assignment” necessary to halt what they called Nigeria’s steady slide into crisis.
In a press release issued on Sunday, December 14, 2025, and signed by the National Coordinator of the forum, Comrade Andrew Emelieze, the group said federal workers across the country are ready to participate actively in the protest, except those on essential duties.
“We welcome the call by the NLC for a nationwide protest on 17th December, 2025. We are ready and in full support of this protest, and we call for active participation by all federal workers nationwide except for those on essential duties,” Emelieze said.
The statement added, “As a matter of fact, the protest is long overdue and it is needed right now to safeguard our country from collapsing into further disaster.”
The FWF accused the government of failing in its basic responsibilities to citizens, painting a grim picture of insecurity, economic hardship, and governance challenges.
“Nigeria is now like a state of nature, and uncertainty has been the hallmark of our being. Governance has been at the lowest ebb—irresponsible, insensitive, and mindless,” the group said.
“We cannot continue with this pervasive hopelessness presently witnessed in Nigeria. Our current existential condition is very dangerous, and Nigerians must act fast now before it is too late.”
The forum stressed that the protest should not be seen as a workers-only action but as a collective national duty.
“We don’t know who is next to be kidnapped or killed,” the statement read.
“This protest is not for workers alone. Nigerians are called upon to massively participate in the protest. It should be taken as a national assignment and a duty for our collective survival.”
Highlighting the state of the health sector, the FWF lamented what it described as government indifference to strikes and negotiations.
“We are in a country where health workers go on strike and the response from government is so poor—no head, no tail,” Emelieze said.
“The sick have been made to return home to die in installments. Nigeria is sick and really needs assistance.”
The forum also raised concerns about underfunding in education, poor remuneration for federal workers, and the harsh economic realities facing ordinary Nigerians.
“Federal workers are poorly paid, the education sector is poorly funded, and the masses are confronted with unbearable economic hardship,” the statement said, adding that “Nigerians have every reason to join the nationwide protest.”
FWF further called on the Trade Union Congress of Nigeria (TUC) to formally align with the protest, stressing the importance of labour unity.
“We are calling on the TUC to make a similar declaration and join the protest in solidarity,” Emelieze stated.
“It is very necessary for the unity of the labour movement in Nigeria that the NLC and the TUC always work together to collectively make declarations of this nature.”
The group urged labour leaders not to relent in their actions.
“We are calling on Nigerians not to get tired of protest,” the forum said.
“We equally call on the NLC and TUC to sustain the tempo and, in collaboration with the labour movement, lead our people to redemption as the situation in Nigeria becomes more precarious by the day.”
In addition to the protest, the FWF demanded that the Federal Government settle outstanding financial obligations to workers.
“We are using this opportunity to call on the federal government to pay the balance of the outstanding three months’ wage award arrears owed federal workers since May 2023,” Emelieze said.
“All backlog of arrears must be paid before the end of December 2025.”
As a symbol of continued resistance, the forum also proposed a weekly protest action.
“Pending respite from the ugly situation confronting us, workers should begin to put on black on Mondays as a sign of continuous protest over the plight of the nation,” the statement added.
The forum concluded with a message of solidarity and hope.
“Our condolences to all afflicted. We shall overcome,” Emelieze said.
The statement was jointly endorsed by Comrade Ayo Ogundele, Secretary General of the FWF, and Aliyu Ibrahim, the forum’s Mobilisation Officer.